Effects of Trichoderma and PGPR applications on growth and Verticillium wilt of eggplant

Abstract

In this study, effects of single and combined applications of biocontrol agents; Trichoderma spp. (T. atroviride, T. virens) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (Pseudomonas koreensis, Bacillus subtilis) on growth, wilt disease severity caused by Verticillium dahliae and plant defence-related enzymes (peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonium lyase and β-1,3 glucanase) of eggplant, were investigated. It was determined that single and combined applications of biological control agents reduced the severity of wilt disease caused by the pathogen, and T. atroviride isolate and its combinations with bacteria were the most effective applications. Biological control agents not only increased plant growth parameters in the experimental groups they were applied, but also the activities of defence-related peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonium lyase and β-1,3 glucanase enzymes in the plant samples taken from these groups. Inoculations with biocontrol agents especially increased stem diameter, length, fresh and dry weights and root lengths of the eggplants, compared to the pathogen inoculated ones. Although the enzyme activities of the plants changed depending on the period after the inoculations, mostly found to be higher on the plants inoculated with the pathogen and/or biocontrol agents, compared to the non-inoculated control plants.

Keywords

• Solanum melongena
• Trichoderma spp.
• PGPR
• ISR
• Enzyme activities

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